Tributes have been paid to former Sale Sharks and England U20s wing Selorm Kuadey following his death at the age of 24 as the result of what is believed to be suicide.

Kuadey, who also earned international honours for England Sevens and U19s, was forced to retire from rugby in 2010 on medical advice having struggled with a succession of injuries and parted company with the Premiership side last year as executive director of sport Steve Diamond re-structured the club.

Since leaving Edgeley Park he had gained a first class honours degree in human biology & infectious Diseases at the University of Manchester, and had recently been a business manager for an orthotics company. The Daily Telegraph reports that it is not clear whether the early end of his career had any connection with his apparent suicide.

The newspaper adds that the Rugby Players' Association had been heavily involved in assisting Kuadey following his retirement from the game and its chief executive, Damian Hopley, last night urged any players who believed they were struggling with mental issues to use their specialised counselling service.

"I know from my own experience first-hand how difficult it is readjust to life if injury ends a players' career," said Hopley, who won three caps for England before he was forced to retire from the game at the age of 27. "The physical trauma of injury is completely overshadowed by the psychological trauma if you have to stop playing and give up your sport prematurely. We don't know if that was the situation with Selorm or not, but we are all shocked to the core about this tragic news.

"He had made a great transition out of rugby and in so many ways he was a model professional. It is so important that young men look for advice and our remit is to try to provide as much support for the players as we can."

Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Kuadey joined Sale straight from Lancaster Royal Grammar School in 2005 and made his debut for the Sharks against Llanelli Scarlets later that year. The club led the tributes with chief executive Mick Hogan commenting: "Everyone at Sale Sharks passes their deepest sympathies to Selorm's family and friends at this very difficult and upsetting time. Selorm was a very popular young man and a wonderfully talented rugby player. We are devastated to learn about his tragic death and the club is offering our full support to his family, friends and former team mates during this deeply traumatic period."

Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty echoed those sentiments, commenting: "It is tragic to lose such a gifted young man from within the rugby family. Selorm will be sadly missed and on behalf of Premiership Rugby and all its clubs, we extend our deepest sympathies to Selorm's family and friends at this very difficult time."

The Rugby Football Union's acting chief executive Stephen Brown said: "Selorm was a popular young man who won the respect of his peers and impressed everyone he came into contact with while representing England. He will be greatly missed by the rugby community and our thoughts are with his family and friends at such a sad time."